# NTSB MIA94LA161: Piper PA-23-250, N5333Y, Atlantic Ocean (Atlantic Ocean), June 19, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 19, 1994, 11:30 local (15:30 UTC) - Place: Atlantic Ocean (Atlantic Ocean) - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 18, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 37562 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA94LA161 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37562/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA94LA161 ## Probable cause The pilot-in-command's failure to maintain a visual outlook and a safe altitude while making a low pass over a boat, resulting in an in-flight collision with the boat mast. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, maneuvering - object - other - low pass - performed, pilot in command - visual lookout - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The commercial pilot was conducting an aerial observation flight over the Atlantic Ocean looking for Cuban rafters. A boat was spotted with people waving as if they needed assistance. The pilot elected to make a low pass and drop a radio to the boat so they could communicate. The pilot descended to about 20 feet and collided with a mast on the boat. The pilot diverted to an airport and landed without further incident. ## Factual narrative On June 19, 1994, about 1130 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-23-250, N5333Y, registered to C and I Flying Services, leased to Brothers to the Rescue, operating as a 14 CFR Part 91 aerial observation flight, collided with a boat mast while maneuvering at a low altitude above the Atlantic Ocean. The airplane sustained substantial damage. Damage to the boat is unknown. The commercial pilot, and two passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a VFR flight plan was filed. The flight originated from Opa Locka, Florida, about 2 hours 10 minutes before the accident. The pilot diverted to Marathon, Florida, and landed without further incident. The accident was reported to the NTSB by a newspaper reporter 1 day after the accident. The pilot stated they spotted a boat about 50 miles southeast of Marathon, Florida, with personnel waving at the airplane. He elected to make a low pass and drop a radio to the boat so they could communicate. He descended to about 20 feet and collided with a mast on the boat. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5333Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5333Y-2012-09-10), registration cancelled 2012-09-10, S/N 27-2410, built 1963 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-23-250 - Registry model: [Piper PA-23-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-23-250) (registry code 7102308) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 27-2410 - Engines: LYCOMING O-540-A1D5 250 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91 - Operator: Hermanos Al Rescate, doing business as Brothers To The Rscue - Registered owner: C & I Flying Services - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: OPF, OPA LOCKA, FL - Destination: MTH, MARATHON, FL - Flight plan: VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 33; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,046 total, 600 in this make and model, 1,889 as pilot in command, 150 in the last 90 days, 100 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Not reported - Lowest ceiling: none ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 19940619018789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940619018789A), Jun 19, 1994: Piper PA23250, Miami, FL, Substantial damage. Spotted boat people waving. Flew low to drop a radio and hit shipmast. Diverted to marathon Florida. ## Other investigations on N5333Y (1) From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. - [NTSB NYC67A0116](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC67A0116), Jan 29, 1967: Piper PA-23 (N5333Y), Cooperstown, NY, substantial damage From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.